Gene HackmanThe French Connection [DVD]

Love this film. Saw it about 40 years ago and watched it again a few nights ago. It stands up very well. New York looks exactly as I remember it in the 1970s - dirty, intimidating, raw but exciting. That also sums up Gene Hackman who was a man first and an actor second (so rare today!) He's very convincing as a tough cop operating in the margins of legality. The contrast of New York and Marseilles adds a lot to the film as do the 70s fashions, cars and street scenes. The direction is taught: the movie moves along at a good clip and leaves the door open for the sequel. Highly recommended.

Item as described superb

I have got to stop watching all the flashy modern rubbish! They are making old films look dull! I love The French Connection. Not as much as most I think but still, it's a solid film, well structured with great performances all round and some of the most bad ass standout scenes of the 70's! But.... this new transfer has slightly dampened it for me. I know I'm late to the party because it's a transfer from around 2009, but it's pretty awful! I watched the mini doc about the transfer on the second disc and I get what Mr. Freidkin is saying he's going for but he didn't achieve it. My TV has not been professionally calibrated but I think I know what I'm doing. Separate settings for 4K, HDR, NON HDR, 1080p, Games and they all look perfect. The regrading process is the same as many other films go through and they all manage to look far better so it's not just me! It just took me out of the feeling of immersion. Shame.Other than that the film is excellent and should be seen by as many people as possible.

I honestly don't remember ever seeing Gene Hackman in a film in which he didn't give a great performance and truly lift up the entire calibre of the film (he was even good as Lex Luthor in the appalling 'Superman' and the Reverend in the equally dreadful 'Poseiden Adventure', although both wree better than they should have been, with him in them).This film, though, had everything going for it even before he signed up and, with him in it as well it is just superb. I can't go through everything about it that is great because the list is too long, suffice it to say that he won the Best Actor Oscar for it, the film won the Best Picture Oscar, the director (William Friedkin) won the Best Director Oscar, and the scriptwriter (Ernest Tidyman) won the Best Screenplay Oscar. There's not a left to win, except Best Editing Oscar, and it won that too.

Working my way through best pictures. My recollection of the film was that it was a bit mumbly. This version was fine. A bit dated, but enjoyed it hugely.

I was thinking recently about why the United States has certain social problems? Well, it may help to study this film to find a few answers.Two white police officers at the start of the film beat up a black man. Interesting?The heroic pursuit of the criminals leaves several innocent victims dead.The car chase started with the theft of a vehicle by hero police officer.There is a lot more ominous of the future for America scenes well worth study to help understand where the States were going in all sorts of social directions.This is a 1971 film. Over 50 years ago. It won academy awards and is still rated today as a great film.I think in 2024 the film was a harbinger of the future.I'm 70 now and I hadn't seen this film before. I found it on BBC iPlayer and thought it was about time I did see it. I remain a little shocked with the way this film has become a sort of reality.I give 3 stars because it needs to be watched by students of society.

Others have reviewed this great movie and its chequered Blu Ray release in more detail than I can. I'll just mention that director William Friedkin's experimental colour treatment for the initial BD release was widely regarded as an abomination, and eventually a straight version was produced which looks the way it should. It's therefore worth checking that you're buying this 2012 Filmmakers' Signature Edition and not the earlier one (note Amazon lumps all reviews for a movie together, so check which one I'm reviewing.)Yes, it's confusing that the "signature" refers to the same chap who messed it up the first time around.The movie itself is a classic tough-cop-who-won't-quit story based on real events (plenty of background and interviews in the extras pack, which is nice), and being a 1970's crime movie it doesn't mess around and ends abruptly. (Cue credits...)

Fabulous, gritty realism -a classic

Da gute Filme im TV kaum noch zu finden sind, habe ich mir jetzt mein privates Kino um dieses Schmuckstück erweitert.

trés bon film

好きな作品です。また機会があればよろしくお願いします。ありがとうございます。

Obra maestra de acción, secuencias de autos memorables, ganadora del Oscar mejor Película, ahora en esta versión aprobada por el maestro W Friedkin (Exorcista) , , tranfer fiel a su estreno en los 70, se ve granoso, pero que film de esa época no se ve así.. precio excelente , servicio entrega gratuito por Amazon. Clásico infaltable en cualquier videoteca que se respete.....

If you like Gene Hackman, you'll love this one. If you don't, you could very well convert after viewing.Basically, a tough cop (nicknamed Popeye) confronting a very capable & ruthless heroin smugglar from Marseilles, France.Excellent movie of this genre, in my opinion. Character acting and scene construction & presentation are excellent as well.This blu-ray version is the best quality available today.If you like this one, I suggest #2 where Popeye travels to Marseilles for the final installation of this 2-part movie series.